One of the biggest matchups of the high school softball season will happen Wednesday and Thursday in the Texas Class 5A state playoffs where No. 2
Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu) meets No. 6
Lake Creek (Montgomery). The best two out of three series will decide the Region 3 champion and is sure to have a big impact on next week's MaxPreps Top 25.
The series will feature some of the best pitchers not only in the Lone Star State but anywhere in the the country.
Barbers Hill has a one-two-punch Louisiana commit
Samantha Landry and Texas signee
Sophia Simpson. Opponents have scored just 15 runs against the Eagles in 38 games.
Lake Creek counters with Texas A&M signee
Emiley Kennedy and sophomore
Ava Brown, who have combined to strike out 352 batters on the season. The Lions have a team ERA of 0.37 and have allowed just 11 earned runs. .
In Florida, No. 3
Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) scored 14 runs and ended
Park Vista's (Lake Worth) 48-game winning streak as it took home the Class 7A state championship. The Mustangs still have a chance to finish No. 1 or No. 2 in the final rankings.
After falling in the opening game to
Fairhope and then trailing 3-0 in the third and deciding game, No. 5
Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville) woke up and scored 16 runs to secure a second straight Class 7A state title, making it known who is the top team in Alabama.
No. 9
Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.) was also crowned a state champion over the weekend.
Anabela Abdullah, a seventh-grader, hit a home run in the first inning and
Alyssa Zabala allowed just two hits as the Firebirds beat Winter Springs 5-0.
Sophia Simpson has helped Barbers Hill keep opposing batters off the base path this season.
Photo by Charles Hernandez
1. Leander (Texas)Record: 36-1 |
Last week: 1
Georgetown is up next in the Class 5A playoffs after outscoring Corpus Christi Carroll 25-2 in a two-game series sweep.
2. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)Record: 36-2 |
Last week: 2
Nobody has managed to score more than two runs against the Eagles this season.
3. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)Record: 30-2 |
Last week: 3
Sophomore
Cassidy McLellan had four hits in the state title game and drove in three runs.
4. Norco (Calif.)Record: 22-1 |
Last week: 5
The Cougars are riding a 21-game win streak into the final week of the regular season.
5. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)Record: 49-3-1 |
Last week: 6
Crystal Maze had three hits including a monster two-run home run in the 7A state title game.
6. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)Record: 38-0 |
Last week: 7
The Lions have recorded shutouts in 28 of 38 outings this season.
7. Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, Miss.)Record: 31-0 |
Last week: 10
Season complete. Mississippi 5A champions
8. Spring-Ford (Royersford, Pa.)Record: 16-0 |
Last week: 10
The Rams begin postseason play after a perfect regular season.
9. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)Record: 29-2 |
Last week: 11
Three middle school players were in the starting lineup for the Firebirds in the state title game.
10. Williamsburg (Ohio)Record: 27-0 |
Last week: 13
The Wildcats have not allowed a run in eight consecutive games. Next up is regional semifinal action on Wednesday.
11. Judson (Converse, Texas)Record: 32-2 |
Last week: 12
After a 9-2 loss to O'Connor, the Rockets scored 24 runs in the next two games in advancing to the regional semifinals.
12. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)Record: 31-2 |
Last week: 14
Season complete. Louisiana 5A state champion
13. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)Record: 23-0 |
Last week: 15
Season complete. Arizona 4A state champion
14. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)Record: 19-0 |
Last week: 17
Senior
Linzey Allard had a pair of hits and a home run in a 13-1 win over Valley Christian on Friday.
15. Lake Central (St. John, Ind.)Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 20
The top team from Indiana begins postseason play after scoring 32 runs in its last three games.
16. Marist (Chicago)Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 21
RedHawks have bounced back with two straight wins after lone loss to No. 15 Lake Central.
17. Mahopac (N.Y.)Record: 12-0 |
Last week: 23
Shannon Becker struck out 13 and pitched a no-hitter in a 2-0 win on Saturday.
18. Clear Springs (League City, Texas)Record: 30-0 |
Last week: 24
Junior
Emma Strood allowed just one hit and struck out nine as the Chargers beat a very good Katy team to advance in the Texas 6A playoffs.
19. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix)Record: 19-2 |
Last week: 25
Season complete. Arizona 6A state champion
20. Park Vista (Lake Worth, Fla.)Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 4
Lost for the first time in 48 games to No. 3 Lakewood Ranch in Florida's 7A state championship game.
21. Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)Record: 24-1 |
Last week: NR
Red Raiders begin Division II Class AA state tournament play Wednesday.
22. Fairhope (Ala.)Record: 42-6 |
Last week: NR
The Pirates fell to No. 5 Hewitt-Trussville in the 7A state championship but showed they are one of the top teams in the country after an impressive playoff run.
23. New Palestine (Ind.)Record: 28-0 |
Last week: NR
Louisville commit
Sam Booe and the Dragons enter postseason play after a perfect regular season.
24. Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)Record: 15-0 |
Last week: NR
Sophomore
Ryan Maddox has struck out 140 batters in 91 innings of work.
25. West Stanly (Oakboro, N.C.)Record: 20-0 |
Last week: NR
East Carolina commit
Jordan Hatch and the Colts ended their perfect season with a 2A state championship.
Next five: University (Orange City, Fla.),
Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista, Calif.),
Rocklin (Calif.),
Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.),
Sabino (Tucson, Ariz.)
